54 Notes and Gleanings. 



as before, where they remain over winter. Being potted in spring, they make a 

 good growth, and are ehgible for forcing again in the following winter. They 

 require a rather large pot for their size, and plenty of water in summer. 



Culture of Lilium auratum. — Repot the bulb every year in spring, being 

 very careful of all growing roots. As regards the compost, use good fibrous 

 loam and peat in equal parts, with a good proportion of sand and leaf-mould ; 

 after which add cow or sheep dung, dried and beaten up small, in the proportion 

 of an ounce to every two pounds of the whole of the other soil. After potting, 

 the soil should be kept moderately moist until the roots are thoroughly in action, 

 and the young stems are two or three inches high, when a liberal supply may be 

 afforded. Never give manure-water until the buds have been formed, and it is 

 gradually withheld as the flowers expand. After flowering, give a moderate 

 greenhouse temperature, and reduce the quantity of water slowly and carefully ; 

 thereby securing a very gradual decay of the leaves and stem, which is of much 

 advantage to the bulb. As soon as all signs of life have departed from the stem, 

 keep the bulb in the coolest greenhouse, being careful not to allow the soil to 

 become too dry ; which may be guarded against by setting the pot on a damp 

 bottom, so as to keep the roots slightly in action. It is one of the greatest mis- 

 takes possible to allow these bulbs to be entirely dried off during the winter. 



An Ornamental Fruit for the Dessert. — Every one who has much 

 to do in providing or arranging the dessert is always on the lookout for some- 

 thing fresh, either useful or ornamental ; and, to add to those fruits in general 

 use, I would recommend Queen Anne's pocket-melon. This melon, as is well 

 known by most gardeners, is not new, but a variety which has been little culti- 

 vated of late years. When neatly arranged with other fruits, it is one of the 

 prettiest objects that can be placed on the dinner-table. 



The plant is easily grown like other melons, either in pots, or planted out in 

 the ordinary way. If grown in small pots, with stems about a foot high, and 

 about five or six fruit on each of the plants, these are objects of great attraction, 

 and are sure to please the most fastidious. The average size of fruit obtained 

 by pot-culture is that of a small orange, and they are most beautifully striped 

 with red and gold : the aroma, too, is most delicious. The fruit from plants 

 planted out will be about double the size of those produced by pot-plants, but 

 equally useful and ornamental. This miniature melon is, I believe, of very an- 

 cient date ; and is like an "old coat" or " old song," — destined to become quite 

 in the fashion again. — John Perkins, in Cottage Gardener. 



[Can any one supply seeds of this fruit, now so popular in England ? It is 

 by no means new, but one of the oldest of melons ; but is one of the good old 

 things recently brought to notice.] 



